The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their 2024 season by traveling to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the Atlanta Falcons. It’s put up or shut up time for the Steelers, who had a hype train heading into training camp only to be derailed by a lifeless, winless preseason.

The Steelers head to Atlanta as slight underdogs and with a huge question on who will start at quarterback, but on a neutral field, oddsmakers would have you believe this game is a pick’em. Whoever is at quarterback will look to impress as Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith returns to Atlanta after they fired him last season.

Here’s my Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons predictions:

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Watch out for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. They will decide if the Steelers offense can move the ball at all. Against this talented Falcons secondary, there is very little chance that the Steelers will burn the Falcons much, even down the field. However, if they can run the ball, that could open up chunk plays over the middle of the field and afford George Pickens some one-on-one opportunities. The Steelers should trust Pickens to win those. Spencer Anderson, Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, and Zach Frazier all have something to prove. Matt Judon, Grady Jarrett, and David Onyemata are no slouches. The Steelers need a good showing from this unit.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF … The Steelers defensive line thoroughly dominates this Falcons offensive line. It is a good offensive line for the Falcons, but this Steelers defensive line, with their edge rushers, is deep and dangerous. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is likely to heat up Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off an Achilles injury. That means Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, and Payton Wilson, with maybe a hint of Beanie Bishop, will be screaming off the edge on some blitzes. Even against a good group, the Steelers have the guys to win, especially on the interior. Keeanu Benton against Drew Dalman is one in the Steelers’ favor. If Larry Ogunjobi can carry over his strong preseason, too, the Steelers have a sneaky chance to put the pressure on Cousins and cause some havoc.

PREDICTION: The Steelers have a lot of mismatches going against them in this game. On defense, they can match the Falcons tit-for-tat for the most part. However, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, as a trio with Cousins, distribute the ball, and it feels too good not to find the end zone once or twice. They will test the undrafted free agent, Bishop, too. However, where this game loses me is the Steelers offense. That offensive line is at a disadvantage, and the Steelers do not have the weapons to exploit a much-improved Falcons secondary. The Steelers will have to cause some turnovers, no matter which quarterback is under center. And if it’s Fields, he has to take care of the ball. Either way, I think the Steelers’ defense plays well, but I can’t quite see the offense pulling them over the finish line. Falcons 20, Steelers 13

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